Draft version of Universal Orlando Resort’s latest theme park: Epic Universe.
NBC Universal
Eventually, work on Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park, Epic Universe, resumes.
The park, which was announced in 2019, had previously halted construction in July due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, Universal revealed that it will take several months to start at full speed, as it will have to reaffirm the project and reassemble its vendors and contractors.
“Rebuilding Epic Universe is a tremendous moment for our employees and for our theme park industry in Florida,” said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO of NBCUniversal Parent Comcast. “This is our largest investment in the state and represents our enthusiasm for the spectacular park and the economic opportunities it will generate.”
The company wants to turn its two-park resort into a weekly destination, not just a two- or three-day trip for families. The company also operates Volcano Bay, a water park about a mile beyond Universal Studios Parks.
The new park will be on a 750-acre piece of land, just a few miles from the existing resort. Universal said it would provide transportation between all of its properties.
Universal Orlando employs 25,000 people and will employ another 14,000 employees, including professional, technical and culinary staff. The company said Wednesday that the rebuilding of the Epic Universe will inject billions of dollars into the Florida economy and create thousands of jobs during its development.
It usually takes three to four years to build a full-scale theme park. The land was cleared in 2018 and it will be the first park Universal has built since 1999 when Islands of Adventure opened. Over the past decade, Universal has expanded its two parks to include the Harry Potter-themed Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands.
Analysts speculate that new rides may be based on universal features such as Minions, classic monsters and even Nintendo. Universal performances on the details still remained mother. Tom Williams, CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, calls it “the most immersive and innovative theme park we’ve ever created.”
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.